Red-Tail Hawk is the color of this Twizzle yarn by Mountain Colors. It's left over from a cardigan I knit last Spring. (Perry Cardigan)

My cowl isn't blocked yet and it definitely needs it...to widen, lengthen and pop the pattern stitch! At the moment, it measures 7" x 45"...and it's supposed to grow to 8" x 60", which will be a much better fit around the neck. I won't have the space to block it until Tuesday.

The "Garland Cowl" is a free pattern over at Ravelry. It is written out, line by line,
and the cowl is knit in 49 rounds x 126 stitches each. Very easy to follow. Worsted weight yarn and big needles (US 10.5).

The designer recommended a particular cast-on (very stretchy)...which I tried and failed at. Instead of it, I was able to use a stretchy cast-on of my own.

She also recommended a particular stretchy bind off, Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn Bind Off...
which is demonstrated on You Tube. It was very easy indeed, and worked like a charm.

So pretty! That should be great for the chilly weather you get up there!

I haven't tried Jeny's cast on, just the bind off.

Jeny's cast on was waaaaay too futzy for me....and over 126 st cast on???? No way, no how! I knew how to work a perfectly loose, stretchy LT cast on, so why cause myself unnecessary aggravation??? For a COWL???? No way.

Jeny's cast on was waaaaay too futzy for me....and over 126 st cast on???? No way, no how! I knew how to work a perfectly loose, stretchy LT cast on, so why cause myself unnecessary aggravation??? For a COWL???? No way.

I tried that cast on once and futzy is a nice word for it.

I've not been convinced I need it badly enough to try again. Knowing you chose not to use it makes me feel better.

__________________~ GG
I should never overestimate my basic arithmetic skills.

Quote:

Cheating is an option. . . . Cheaters never win and winners never cheat, but smart knitters who want to retain an iota of sanity do, cheerfully. ~~Kory Stamper

The cable cast on seems plenty stretchy to me and not nearly as futzy. I'm not good at guesstimating the length of yarn needed for long-tail cast on and I hate ending up just a little short or waaaaaaaaaaay too long. Sometimes I think just because something is more complicated people think it's better.

__________________~ GG
I should never overestimate my basic arithmetic skills.

Quote:

Cheating is an option. . . . Cheaters never win and winners never cheat, but smart knitters who want to retain an iota of sanity do, cheerfully. ~~Kory Stamper